Metzelers Z8

[Chad]

I've had those tyres on my F800st Dave. I'd forgotten about those until I saw the tread pattern. I got good mileage out of them & they handled fine- no problems at all in the dry. I wasn't as happy in the wet but tbh I didn't have any issues. I had metzelers on when I bought it & I replaced them with metzelers. The rear wore out much sooner that the front. I seem to remember I got about 6k from the rear but over 8k on the front, which was a topic of conversation with my mates. I didn't ride two up & used this bike right through 2 winters.
Interestingly, I noticed a s1000rr at Helmsley last weekend, with a pair of continental road attacks on! That did surprise me.

[David.]

I've had those tyres on my F800st Dave.

Z8 or Z6?

[Chad]

Those in the bottom picture first & then those in the top picture.

[David.]

Looks like you switched from Z6's to Z8's.

[Chad]

I tend to go for tyres that are good on corners & good in the wet. Longevity & cost is irrelevant to me. (Obviously the choice is restricted by the type of bike). If I've changed its probably because the Z8's were considered better than the z6's in this respect.

[daverj]

I love my Z8 interact prefer them PR3 and I love my back brake. My normal riding style means my rear is too hot to pinch it and the fronts are only tepid

[David.]

Just been speaking to a Guy who got over 9,000 miles out of a pair of Z8's, that's good going in my book.

[David.]

Just been speaking to a Guy who got over 9,000 miles out of a pair of Z8's, that's good going in my book.

He has now switched to Michelin PR4 GT's, will be interesting to see how they perform.

[David.]

The original BMW recommended Roadtec Z8's for my 2012 RT were, front "Standard" and rear "C" specification.

R 1200 RT 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL Roadtec Z8 Interact M. 180/55 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL Roadtec Z8 Interact C.

R 1200 RT 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL Roadtec Z8 Interact M. 180/55 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL Roadtec Z8 Interact O.

Please can anyone confirm that the front "Standard" has now been replaced by "M" spec. and the rear "C" is now an "O" spec.

I believe that front "M" and rear "O" may be the current fitment for LC 1200/1250 RT's.

[David.]

My tyre fitter of choice, NBT, has confirmed that the above is correct.

For Z8's, I'd need an "M" spec. for the front and "O" spec. for the rear, https://www.nationalbiketyres.co.uk/metzeler/roadtec-z8

Z6's are still available, https://www.nationalbiketyres.co.uk/metzeler/roadtec-z6 but the rear is not in a "C" spec. (now "O").
Metzeler themselves suggested that a Standard Z6 front could be used with an "O" spec. Z8 rear.

With Dunlop Roadsmarts now discontinued and not wishing to mix front & rear tyres, it looks like my next set will be Z8's.

Any feedback on Z8's would be most welcome, are new 1250 RT's coming supplied with them.

[Casbar]

Yes my 1250 came with Z8s. I have found them fine so far, done just over 3k on them

[David.]

Yes my 1250 came with Z8s.

Are the version codes "M" front and "O" rear, thanks.

[David.]

The Metzeler 2019 Technical Databook can be downloaded from here, https://www.metzeler.com/en-ww/products ... -data-book see page 80/81 for RT's.

[Casbar]

Are the version codes "M" front and "O" rear, thanks.

Just checked, def a M on the front, the rear looks like a square C but guess could be an O, if it is O its an incomplete O more like an oblong O with a bit missing.

[David.]

Just checked, the rear looks like a square C.

The rear will be a "C" version code, as confirmed by the Tech. Databook page 81, thanks.

R 1250 RT MY 2019 - 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL Roadtec Z8 Interact M, 180/55 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL Roadtec Z8 Interact C.